EMERSON Lievense is determined to turn his living nightmare with a rare form of cancer into a story of inspiration for many.
The 20-year-old’s prospects were bright, the world his oyster, before a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in early February put a sudden but temporary halt to his blossoming career and short-term ambitions.
Mr Lievense was a school leader in Willetton Senior High School’s Academically Talented program.
He had turned down an offer to study engineering at the University of WA for the chance to work in the lucrative oil and gas industry.
Not long after school at 17, he was accepted into an electrical and instrumentation apprenticeship and was fulfilling a dream, working on Woodside Energy’s gas production rigs off the coast of Karratha.
He was in the final months of completing his apprenticeship when he was struck down with the potentially deadly cancer.
Mr Lievense is still receiving treatment, which includes a stemcell transplant next month, but his prognosis is good.
He is confident of making a full recovery.
“The prospect of death did cross my mind… but I overcame that fear by accepting my mortality and (the) finite nature of life,” he said.
During the toughest battle of his life, Mr Lievense focused his energies on all the positives of the situation and stayed active.
In fact, it has given him the chance to reflect on his own mortality and work to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
He raised more than $27,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation as a participant in this year’s World’s Greatest Shave, making it into this year’s top 30 highest money raisers nationally.
Mr Lievense has recently started volunteering his time for cancer charity Canteen, helping to develop ideas for a support network and mentor program for young adults and teenagers being treated for cancer in adult hospitals.
He is also continuing his work as a youth ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, inspiring school students to achieve their dreams by taking part in the program.
“My message is to never doubt your individual capacity to change the world, “ he said. “In simple ways you can make a big difference… by improving one person’s life you’ve helped changed the world,” he said.
“You don’t know what’s around the corner.
“As a fit and healthy 20-year-old, I didn’t expect to be whacked by cancer.
“You have to live every day to the fullest and get out and start accomplishing your dreams today.”
But even though Mr Lievense has made an impression in his short career and loves his work in the oil and gas industry, he said his future lies in helping people reach their potential.
“In the long term, I’d like to run my own business in success and leadership coaching,” he said.
“My real passion is public speaking and helping people achieve more from a younger age in all aspects of their life, to grasp that success mentality.”
His mother, Debra Lievense, a technology and enterprise teacher at Willetton SHS, said she could not be more proud of her son who had remained intensely positive and philosophical throughout his ordeal.
“His strength has helped the whole family deal with this,” she said.
“He has been living with an incredible disposition that nothing will defeat him. He’s absolutely inspirational.”
His attitude to life and brush with serious illness has left an indelible mark on others close to him too.
His sister, Imogen – Willetton SHS’s head girl – and his best mate, Michael Sloan, have nominated him for a Pride of Australia medal, fittingly in the courage category.
He will also find out on Friday if he has made it through to the national final of the Australian Training Awards as WA’s top apprentice.